Rudolf Gaiseb

Adolf Kaure

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) reported that, in the 2024/25 financial year, 45% of the cases handled involved abuse of power. 

The next most common issues dealt with by the anti-graft agency included bribery, misuse of public resources, as well as irregularities in tenders and recruitment.

The organisation’s recently released financial report states that 127 cases were registered, of which 67 were investigated, and 50 were declined for various reasons, such as lack of substance, vague information and/or unfounded allegations. Additionally, 10 of the cases were sent to other institutions for action, as they do not fall within ACC’s mandate.

The report further highlights that since 2006, 822 cases have been submitted to the Prosecutor General (PG). 

Of these, 596 have been prosecuted, resulting in 256 convictions and 159 acquittals or withdrawals among the 415 cases finalised in court.

At the moment, a large portion of cases remain in the legal pipeline, with 183 pending and 114 awaiting decisions from the PG. The institution has upped the ante for 2024/2025, highlighting the ACC’s improved efforts to prevent and combat corruption, promote ethical behaviour, investigate allegations of corrupt practices, enhance institutional capacity, and engage both local and international stakeholders.

Progress

ACC director general Paulus Kalomho Noa said the year under review was marked by significant progress in strengthening preventive measures, expanding public education and deepening partnerships at both national and international levels.

“Through our Directorate of Public Education and Corruption Prevention, we intensified awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives and corruption risk assessments, reaching many Namibians across all 14 regions. These efforts are a testament to our belief that prevention and public education remain powerful tools in the fight against corruption,” he wrote in the report.

The Commission also remained engaged with regional, continental and global frameworks internationally, reinforcing Namibia’s role in shaping collective global responses to fighting corruption.

“This report also captures our role in fostering public confidence through targeted outreach, ethics training and the commemoration of key international anti-corruption days. The opening of the ACC office in Rundu stands as a milestone in bringing our services closer to the people of Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions,” he said.

Of the cases investigated in the 2024/25 financial year, the head office handled the majority (73) of cases. 

A total of 16 were investigated in Oshana, 15 in Erongo, 14 in the north-east of the country and nine in Otjozondjupa.   

Civic education

As far as civic education is concerned, the anti-corruption awareness sessions reached 10 782 participants, including youth and public officials, while specific ethics and integrity training was provided to 2 376 individuals across public institutions and police colleges.

To integrate these values into the school system, 316 life skills teachers were trained on the Anti-corruption Teachers Manual.

These efforts also included 12 regional forums for the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan (NACSAP) and active participation in global alignments with the outhern African Development Community, the African Union and United Nations Convention against Corruption.

Awareness was further promoted through billboards at airports and border posts, as well as high-profile events such as the International Anti-Corruption Day in Rundu.

Strategies

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare emphasised that promoting good governance depends on developing strong national anti-corruption strategies and relevant legal frameworks. 

In his keynote speech, delivered on his behalf by special advisor Asser Ntinda at the Windhoek meeting of the NACSAP steering committee, Ngurare highlighted the need for synergy and collaboration among stakeholders, urging them to work together rather than independently.  

“Synergies must be created to enable the sharing of intelligence and ensure swift, coordinated action whenever corruption rears its ugly head. 

There is no need to work in silos. You are one, united in the fight against a common enemy, corruption,” he stated.

The steering committee is the highest monitoring body of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan (2021-2025). 

It is made up of ministers, executive directors and heads of institutions. 

It is responsible for providing strategic oversight and ensuring the success of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

The meeting was organised by the ACC to review progress, strengthen accountability and reinforce coordinated national efforts to combat corruption.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that key institutions, including the ACC, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Office of the Prosecutor General, the Office of the Auditor General and the Office of the Ombudsman, must be adequately funded to effectively carry out their mandates.  

“Collaboration between all stakeholders, public sector representatives, civil society members and private sector representatives is key to the successful fight against corruption. All stakeholders across Namibia must keep their hands on the deck and take ownership of the present Strategy and the third National Anti-Corruption Strategy that will be developed soon,” he said.

“The government remains committed to fighting corruption across the board. It equally remains committed to providing the necessary support to institutions tasked with the mandate to prevent and combat corruption. Let us all hold hands in unison. That way, we shall drive Namibia in the right direction, characterised by transparency, fairness, integrity and justice for all,” he added.

Amanda Serumaga, United Nations Development Programme Namibia (UNDP) resident representative said the NACSAP evaluation shows progress in fighting corruption but also highlights important gaps needing attention. 

“Progress is real, but citizens want to feel it. The evaluation recognises genuine efforts. S

ystems have improved, institutions are stronger and awareness has grown,” she said. 

She added that the evaluation also highlights how accountability is more important than good systems. 

The 2016-2019 National Anti-Corruption Strategy laid the groundwork for the second strategy. 

The first had six objectives and 75 actions by 22 institutions, including civil society, private and public sectors. 

The 2021-2025 strategy had eight objectives and 95 actions, led by 44 institutions, and will end on 31 March 2026. 

An independent evaluator, supported by the UNDP, will summarise the findings and advise on the development of the 2026-2030 plan.

-rgaiseb@gmail.com

 -akaure@nepc.com.na